Conveyor with interchangeable receivers

ABSTRACT

A CONVEYOR ADVANCES A NUMBER OF CONTAINERS PAST A FILLER, SEALING HEAD, AND CUTTER. THE CONVEYOR HAS A PLURALITY OF PIVOTALLY INTERCONNECTED FRAMES WHICH SUPPORT REMOVABLY MOUNTED RECEIVERS. EACH FRAME HAS A PLURALITY OF EQUALLY SPACED PINS ADJACENT THE TOP AND THE FILLER, SEALING HEAD, AND CUTTER HAVE TEETH WHICH MESH WITH THE PINS TO DRIVE THEM CORRELATIVE TO THE MOVEMENT OF THE CONVEYOR.

United States Patent [50] Field 198/19,

l3l, 129; 53/37, (lnquired); 18/4 (C), (lnquired);

107/82, 815, (lnquired) References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1963Jacobsen......................

Appl. No. Filed [22] Apr. 4. 1969 Patented June 28, 197i Anderson Bros.Mfg. Co.

("73] Assignee Rockford, Ill.

cominuafilm'in'pm of application 4/l969 Sorensen 554,284, May 24, 1966,now Patent No. 3,436,894 dated Apr. 8 1969 Primary Exammer- Edward A.Sroka Attorney-McCarma, Morsbach, Pillote and Muir ABSTRACT: A conveyoradvances a number of containers past a filler, sealing head, and cutter.The conveyor has a plurality of pivotally interconnected frames whichsupport removably mounted receivers. Each frame has a plurality ofequally spaced pins adjacent the top and the tiller, sealing RSD 198/131head, and cutter have teeth which mesh with the pins to drive 865g 17/06them correlative to the movement of the conveyor.

[51] in: CI

PATENTEU JUH28 197; 3, 587,829

SHEET 2 (IF 2 1 CONVEYOR WITH INTERCI'IANGEABLE RECEIVERSCROSS-REFERENCE This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat.application Ser. No. 554,284 filed May 24, 1966, now U.S. Pat. No.3,436,894, issued Apr. 8, 1969.

BACKGROUND The invention pertains generally to power driven conveyors,and especially to the structure of an endless conveyor.

In part, the above-mentioned parent patent application describes andclaims apparatus for solving the problem of coordinating variouspackaging operations with the movement of the conveyor in a simplifiedand reliable manner. This was accomplished by providing a plurality ofpivotally interconnected pockets and each pocket having a plurality ofequally spaced pins adjacent its top. Various mechanisms were providedwith radially extending teeth to mesh with the pins and drive themcorrelative to the movement of the conveyor. To provide versatility ofthe machine, it was found desirable to provide the receivers withopenings of various sizes and shapes so that containers of various sizesand shapes could be utilized in the packaging machine. This raised theproblem of providing a structure in which the receivers could be readilyinterchanged and still maintain the correlative movement of the variousmechanisms with the conveyor.

SUMMARY The present invention relates generally to conveyors and moreparticularly to a conveyor with interchangeable receivers.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a new and usefulconveyor in which the receivers may be readily removed and interchangedwith other receivers.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a conveyor inaccordance'with the foregoing object and in which various mechanismshave their operations coordinated with the conveyor movement.

These, and other objects and advantages of the present invention, willbecome apparent as the same becomes better understood from the followingdetailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a machineincorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the conveyor with some ofthe receivers removed;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, on a larger scale, taken generallyalong line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the outlet terminus portionof the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the conveyor and having portions broken away forbetter illustration;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;I

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a comer of a typical receiverand illustrating the recess for supporting the receiver;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a latch assembly preparatory to mountingon a receiver; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating one alternate receiver whichmay be utilized in the conveyor of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION Reference is now made more particularly to the drawingswhich illustrate the best presently known mode of carrying out theinvention and wherein similar reference characters indicate the sameparts throughout the several views.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes an endless conveyor, generallydesignated 20, for advancing a number of containers past a productdispenser or filler 24, a sealer 26,

and a cutter 28 to the outlet end of the machine. A typical package (notshown) has an outwardly extending peripheral flange and, after beingfilled with a product, has a cover sealed to the peripheral flange bythe sealing means 26. The covers are advantageously fonned from a thinweb 37 of material continuously fed from a supply roll 38 in anyconvenient manner. The packages are separated by cutting the web ofmaterial in an area between the adjacent containers as by the cutter 28.The general structure of the machine conveniently includeschannel-shaped side panels 41, 42 supported on legs 44, 46. A pair ofrails 48, 48' are supported on the upper flange of the channel-shapedsidewalls 41, 42, respectively, for a purpose hereafter explained. Theconveyor 20 includes a plurality of pivotally interconnected frames eachof which holds an interchangeable receiver, generally designated R. Thepivotally interconnected frames include a plurality of longitudinallyextending side members 51 adjacent the front of the machine, and sidemembers 52 adjacent the rear side of the machine. Side members 51 and 52are arranged with their ends in overlapping relationship and arepivotally interconnected by means of laterally extending members 54which pass through the side members. As can be seen, the lapping isarranged so that the opposite side members 51 and 52 are alwaysapproximately equal distances from each other. Rollers 59 are mountedadjacent the extremities of the lateral members 54 to engage the rails48, 48' to support the upper flight of the endless conveyor. Rollers 54at the back side of the conveyor are also engaged by a driven star wheel62, as best seen in FIG. 4. A second identical star wheel (not shown) ismounted to engage the rollers at the opposite side of the conveyor. Thestar wheels are mounted on a driven shaft 66 which is driven by motor Mas through a variable speed drive 68. Star wheels of similarconstruction to that of star wheel 62 are mounted adjacent the inlet endof the machine and define the inlet terminus of the endless conveyor.The inlet star wheels rotate as the conveyor 20 is driven, or they toomay be driven if desired. Reference is made to the aforementioned parentpatent application for a more complete description of the manner inwhich the conveyor is driven.

In the embodiment illustrated, the containers are discharged onto aninclined ramp 117 (see FIGS. 1 and 4) at the outlet end of the machine.The ramp is disposed closely adjacent the outlet terminus of conveyor 20and supported by arms 11?. To assure discharge of the containers, anejector is mounted to extend over shaft 66 and positioned so that itsouter extremity extends into the receivers R through the open bottomthereof.

Adjacent the top of side members 52 are a plurality of generally equallyspaced rack teeth shown in the form of laterally extending pins 70. Itis deemed obvious that these pins are advanced with the conveyor and, asbest shown in FIG. 1, a sprocket may be engaged by the pins to drive thetiller 24, sealing means 26, and/or cutting means 28. This arrangementprovides a positive relationship between the conveyor and the drivenapparatus since the pins or teeth 70 are positively located on each sidemember 52 to provide a generally continuous rack which does not becomeelongated from wear as in a chain and sprocket arrangement. Otheradvantages of this arrangement, and further description thereof, isgiven in the abovementioned parent patent application which isincorporated herein by reference. It can be seen that whatever mechanismis engaged with the rack teeth 70, it is driven thereby in timedsequence with the movement of the endless conveyor 20.

As previously indicated, the receivers R are shaped for receiving thecontainers. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, one receiver embodiment isshaped for receiving a generally rectangular container and forsupporting the outwardly extending flanges of the container on its uppersurface 74. The upper surface 74 preferably comprises a layer ofresilient and heat insulating material to aid in the sealing operation.The receivers may have tapered inner sidewalls 76 and a generally openbottom, if desired.

The interchangeable receivers R are supported on the pivotallyinterconnected frames. As can be seen, the receivers R are sized to bedisposed between the side members 51 and 52, but are supported upon thelaterally extending members 54. For this purpose, the lateral extendingedges are recessed as at 101 to engage the members 54. Recess 101 may beenlarged as at 102 to dispose the central portion away from the members54, if desired. in this manner, only the four comers of the receiver areengaged and supported upon the members 54. The interchangeable receiversR are supported in position in a manner hereinafter explained. Thereceivers are arranged so that the individual frames can pivot aboutmembers 54 without interference from the receivers R. Additionally, thereceivers R are slightly spaced from each other to allow theaforementioned cutting operation.

Preferably the receivers R are readily removable from the frame of theconveyor for replacement or interchanging with other shaped or sizedreceivers. For this purpose, side members 51 and 52 are provided withcentrally located openings 82. Each receiver R, in the embodimentillustrated, is provided with a fixed laterally extending pin 84 at oneside for fitting into one of the openings 82. At the opposite side ofthe receiver R is a latch assembly, generally designated 86 and bestshown in FIG. 8. To accommodate this assembly, the sidewall 76 isprovided with a recess 87 which has an inner shoulder 88 and an openingthrough the shoulder 89. Referring to FIG. 8, the assembly 86 includes agenerally cylindrical pin 94 having a fixed outwardly extending shoulder95 intermediate its ends. A washer 96 is arranged to receive the outerend of the pin 94 and is designed to have a press fit into the recess 87and be fixed with respect thereto. A spring 97 is disposed around theinner portion of the pin 94 and lies between the shoulder 95 of the pinand the shoulder 88 of the recess. A spring 97 resiliently urges the pin94 to an extended position disposed in an opening 82. It can be seenthat the pin 94 can be readily moved inwardly to a release position outof engagement with the opening 82 thereby allowing the receiver R to beeasily removed from the frame. Pins 84 and 94 are preferably located sothat they engage the top of openings 82 and hold the receiver R with itsrecesses 101 engaged with laterally extending members 54.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is shown a receiver R which is exemplary of adifferently shaped receiver which is interchangeable with the receiverR. ln this embodiment, two openings 110 are provided to receive twoseparate packages for each receiver. Other than the size and shape ofthe openings, all other portions of the receiver are identical infunction to that described above for receiver R and similar parts aredesignated by the same numerals followed by the postscript prime It canbe seen that the present invention is not limited to the particular sizenor shape of the receivers which may be interchanged with each other andthat receivers having different numbers of pockets for supporting thecontainers may be provided.

It is now deemed obvious that the present invention provides a conveyorwith interchangeable receivers in which the receivers are supported onpivotally interconnected frames and which are readily removable andinterchanged with other receivers. in addition, it can be seen that theconveyor provides an apparatus in which a mechanism is driven thereby intimed sequence with the movement of the conveyor. The em bodiments ofthe invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed aredefined as follows:

I claim:

1. In a machine for advancing containers along a longitudinal path, thecombination of: a longitudinally extending endless conveyor having inletand outlet termini and including a plurality of sets of laterally spacedside members arranged with ends in juxtaposition, a plurality ofreceivers shaped for receiving at least one container and each shorterthan the side members and disposed between the side members, meansremovably mounting the receivers on the side members so that otherreceivers may be interchanged therewith, pivotal interconnecting meansat each juxtaposed end of the side members, the pivotal interconnectingmeans being continuous between the side members and having a lateralportion extending laterally beyond each side member, the receivershaving means for engaging the pivotal interconnecting means to supportthe receivers thereon, first and second means at the respective inletand outlet termini and adjacent the side members for engaging thelateral portions and entraining the conveyor over the first and secondmeans, means for driving one of the first and second means to advancethe conveyor, a plurality of generally equally spaced rack teeth rigidwith the side members at one lateral side, and a mechanism engaged withthe spaced rack teeth and driven thereby in timed sequence with themovement of the conveyor.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein each side member has an openingtherein intermediate its ends, and wherein the means removably mountingthe receivers includes a stud at each lateral side of each receiver andarranged to fit into a side member opening, the stud at one receiverside being resiliently urged to a latch position disposed in the sidemember opening and movable to a release position removed from theopening for removal of the receiver.

3. In a machine for advancing containers along a longitudinal path, thecombination of: a longitudinally extending endless conveyor having inletand outlet termini and including a plurality of sets of laterally spacedside members arranged with ends in juxtaposition, a plurality ofreceivers shaped for receiving at least one container and each disposedbetween the side members, means removably mounting the receivers on theside members so that other receivers may be in terchanged therewith andincluding a stud on one of the group including a side member and areceiver, the other of the group having an opening for receiving thestud in a latch position, means resiliently urging the stud to its latchposition, the stud being movable against the resiliently urging means toa release position out of engagement with the opening for removal of thereceiver, pivotal interconnecting means at each juxtaposed end of theside members and having a lateral portion extending laterally beyondeach side member, first and second means at the respective inlet andoutlet termini and adjacent the side members for engaging the lateralportions and entraining the conveyor over the first and second means,means for driving one of the first and second means to advance theconveyor, a plurality of generally equally spaced rack teeth rigid withthe side members at one lateral side, and a mechanism engaged with thespaced rack teeth and driven thereby in timed sequence with the movementof the conveyor.

4. A conveyor with interchangeable receivers of the type having meansfor advancing the receivers in an endless manner, the conveyorincluding: a plurality of side members at each lateral side of theconveyor and arranged with their ends in juxtaposition a plurality oflaterally extending members extending between the lateral sides of theconveyor and each pivotally interconnecting a pair of side members ateach side of the conveyor, the side members and the laterally extendingmembers defining a series of pivotally interconnected frames arrangedfor movement in an endless manner, a receiver shaped for receiving atleast one container disposed in each frame and having its longitudinalends supported on two successive laterally extending members wherebyeach laterally extending member supports the longitudinal ends of twoadjacent receivers, and means for releaseably attaching each receiver tothe opposite side members so that the receiver is held in positionsupported on the laterally extending members and is readily released sothat other receivers may be interchanged therewith.

5. A conveyor with interchangeable receivers as set forth in claim 4wherein the last-mentioned means includes a stud on one of the groupsincluding a side member and a receiver, the other of the group having anopening for receiving the stud in a latch position, means forresiliently urging the stud to its latch position, and the stud movableagainst the resiliently urging means to a release position out ofengagement with the opening for removal of the receiver.

6. A conveyor with interchangeable receivers as set forth in claim 4wherein the side members are longer than the spacing of the laterallyextending members and are alternately offset so that their ends are inoverlying relationship, the side members of each frame being offset inthe same direction to provide a generally uniform distance between theside members, each laterally extending members comprises a shaftextending through the overlying portions of the side members topivotally interconnect'the same, and each receiver having a recess atthe bottom of each longitudinal side thereof for bearing against theshaft to support the receiver.

